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IAS311 - Journalism Practice and Media Ethics

2026

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Communications

Credit Points

Equivalent Units

(COM303)

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Coerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Unit Description

This unit teaches skills for those considering careers in the media industry, including news report writing, advanced feature writing, recording and editing interviews and understanding the complex ethical landscape of the field. This unit provides an opportunity to develop advanced media writing and interviewing skills.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Apply advanced writing skills in a range of journalism formats including feature writing and news articles.
2.	Apply high level interviewing skills to a variety of media formats through study of interviewer techniques and responses to peer review.
3.	Critically evaluate governance and monitoring bodies of journalism in the Australian context and as regulated through a code of ethics.
4.	Critical identification and evaluation of media ethics and appraisal of the decision making relationship between ethical viewpoints and cultures.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	News story (300 - 400 words)	10%	1,2,3,4
2.	Media ethics essay (2,000 words) OR Presentation (12 minutes)	30%	1,2,3,4
3.	Writing portfolio (2,500 words)	45%	1,2,3,4
4.	Discussion board and tutorial responses (10 x 150 words)	15%	1,2,3

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2026	Semester 1	Internal	Danala - Education and Community Precinct	OLR	View
2026	Semester 1	External	External Studies	OLR	View

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OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

Critical Dates

Important Dates for Students

Fee Information:
Fees and Payments
Student Services and Amenities Fees
2026 Domestic Unit Fees (PDF)
2025 Incidental Fees (PDF)